A system for testing biological samples includes a frame having first and second sides and an aperture extending through the frame from the first side to the second side. First and second covers are attached to the first and second sides of the frame to form a well bounded by the frame, the first cover, and the second cover. An electromagnetic imaging device is used to image the biological sample through the first cover. A method is also conceived, wherein a first fluid is supplied to the well, the first fluid including live cells. A biofilm is grown from the live cells. A second fluid is supplied to the well and the biofilm is imaged using the electromagnetic imaging device.

The disclosure provides an apparatus, a device, and methods for improving optical analysis of a thin layer of a sample between two plates, particularly for multiple wavelengths.

A determination method includes: using a microchip, including a capillary flow path and a sample reservoir connected to the capillary flow path at an upstream side, to fill the capillary flow path with a first solution for electrophoresis, and supply the sample reservoir with a second solution containing an analyte; applying a voltage between the sample reservoir supplied with the second solution and the inside of the capillary flow path filled with the first solution, to move a component contained in the second solution in the capillary flow path and separate the component in the capillary flow path; optically detecting a value related to a component difference between the first solution and the second solution, other than a value related to the analyte, for the separated component; and determining whether the optical detection is favorable or poor by comparing the optically detected value with a predetermined threshold value.

A method and a device for determining the concentration of an analyte in whole blood is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a plasma layer in the whole blood sample. Furthermore, the method includes exposing the plasma layer to light. The method also includes capturing light reflected from the plasma layer. Additionally, the method includes analyzing the reflected light to determine the concentration of the analyte.

A method of fabricating a waveguide structure to form a solid-core waveguide from a waveguiding layer may include etching a fluid channel into the waveguiding layer, etching a first air-gap and a second air gap into the waveguiding layer, wherein etching the first and the second air-gaps creates a solid-core waveguide in the waveguiding layer between the first air-gap and the second air-gap. A method for fabricating a waveguide structure to form a solid-core waveguide may include forming a first trench, a second trench, and a third trench in a substrate layer, and depositing a waveguiding layer on the machined substrate layer, wherein depositing the waveguiding layer creates a hollow core of a fluid channel in a location corresponding to the first trench, and a solid-core waveguide portion in the waveguiding layer in a location corresponding to an area between the second trench and the third trench.

The invention provides devices that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification for highly sensitive testing. The invention does not require washing steps and thus allows sensitive and specific detection while simplifying manual operation and lowering costs and complexity in automated operation. In short, the invention provides devices that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests.

The present disclosure is drawn to microfluidic devices. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic well, a layered composite stack, and an optical sensor. The layered composite stack includes an optical filter composited with an etch-stopping layer. The optical filter defines the microfluidic well. The optical sensor is associated with the microfluidic well and has the optical filter positioned therebetween.

A microfluidic sensor chip includes a body comprising a substrate and an upper cover, and the upper cover having at least one opening, at least one microfluidic channel formed on the substrate and has a supporting surface, wherein the at least one microfluidic channel communicates with the at least one opening, and a metamaterial layer coated on the supporting surface, wherein the metamaterial layer has a plurality of regions, and each region has a corresponding resonance pattern. The present disclosure further provides a measuring system for microfluidic sensor chip includes a carrying board, a plurality of the microfluidic sensor chips, a transmitter emitting a terahertz wave corresponding to the resonance pattern of one of the microfluidic sensor chips, a receiver receiving a reflected wave corresponding to the terahertz wave, and a processor receiving the reflected wave from the processor, and determining a testing sample characteristic according to the reflected wave.

Provided is a blood analysis apparatus which may include a capillary tube, a photosensor part on a sidewall of the capillary tube, a cylinder connected to the capillary tube, a pipe body connecting the cylinder and the capillary tube and including a first opening connected to an internal space of the cylinder, a second opening connected to an internal passage of the capillary tube, and a third opening connected to the first opening and the second opening, and a valve arranged on the pipe body and configured to open/close the third opening.

Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfliuidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid. System and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels.